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{{Short description|1973 biographical-crime film by Sidney Lumet}}
{{Other uses}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Serpico
| image          = Serpico poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Sidney Lumet]]
| producer       = [[Martin Bregman]]
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Waldo Salt]]
* [[Norman Wexler]]
}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''Serpico''|[[Peter Maas]]}}
| starring       = [[Al Pacino]]<!-- Per poster -->
| music          = [[Mikis Theodorakis]]
| cinematography = [[Arthur J. Ornitz]]
| editing        = [[Dede Allen]]<!-- Main editor -->
| production_companies = {{Plain list|
* Artists Entertainments Complex, Inc.
* [[Dino de Laurentiis|Produzion De Laurentiis International Manufacturing Company S.P.A.]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|1973|12|05|New York City|1974|02|06|United States}}
| runtime        = 130 minutes{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=299}}
| country        = United States
| language     = English
| budget         = $3.3 million{{sfn|Knoedelseder, William Jr.|1987|p=2 (partIV)}}
| gross = $29.8 million (US/Canada){{sfn|Box Office Mojo staff|2020}}<br>$23.4 million (worldwide rentals){{sfn|Knoedelseder, William Jr.|1987|p=2}} 
}}

'''''Serpico''''' is a 1973 American [[crime drama film]] directed by [[Sidney Lumet]] and starring [[Al Pacino]] in the title role. The screenplay was adapted by [[Waldo Salt]] and [[Norman Wexler]] from the book written by [[Peter Maas]], with the assistance of its subject [[Frank Serpico]]. The story details Serpico's struggle with corruption within the [[New York City Police Department]] during his eleven years of service, and his work as a [[whistleblower]] which led to the investigation by the [[Knapp Commission]].

Producer [[Dino De Laurentiis]] purchased the rights from Maas. Agent [[Martin Bregman]] joined the film as co-producer. Bregman suggested Pacino for the main part, and [[John G. Avildsen]] was hired to direct the film. Pacino met with Serpico to prepare for the role early in the summer of 1973. After Avildsen was dismissed, Lumet was hired as his replacement. On a short notice, he selected the shooting locations and organized the scenes; the production was filmed in July and August.

On its release, ''Serpico'' became a critical and commercial success. At the same time, the film drew criticism from police officers. It received nominations at the [[Academy Awards]] and [[British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Awards]]. Pacino earned the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]], while Salt and Wexler received the [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]].

== Plot ==
[[NYPD]] Detective [[Frank Serpico]] is rushed to the hospital, having been shot in the face. Police Chief Sidney Green fears that Serpico was shot by another cop. Serpico's story is shown in a [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]].

Serpico graduates from the police academy with big ideas for improving the police force's community relations. He dresses like an actual civilian instead of wearing the department's standard plainclothes dress, which is easily recognizable. While he is chasing a burglar, other officers fail to recognize him as one of their own and shoot at him. He realizes that deviating from protocols can be dangerous.

Serpico reports an attempted bribe to a high-ranking investigator, who chuckles and advises him to keep the money. Serpico soon learns that corruption is rampant in the department. Forced to accompany officers as they collect payoffs from criminals and small businesses, Serpico refuses to accept his share of the money. He makes several attempts to alert superiors to the corruption but is rebuffed every time. Other officers learn that he is reporting them, and he begins to fear for his life.

Serpico and his well-connected friend Blair go to the mayor's assistant, who promises a real investigation and support but is stymied by political pressure. Ostracized, frustrated and fearful, Serpico sinks into depression, which ruins his relationship with his girlfriend. He begins brutalizing well-connected suspects who had been bribing their superiors and thought themselves protected. Finally, Serpico informs his Captain that he further reported his experiences to agencies outside of the NYC police force. Furious, the captain reports it to the other officers.

Blair uses his connections to arrange a personal interview with the [[district attorney]], who tells Serpico that if he testifies to a grand jury, a major investigation will follow. The DA limits his questions and prevents Serpico from revealing the ubiquity of corruption in the police force. Serpico and Blair take their story to ''[[The New York Times]]''. After his allegations are published, his superiors retaliate by assigning Serpico to high-risk  [[Brooklyn]] squad.

During a raid on a drug trafficker's apartment, Serpico's partners hold him back at critical moment, and he gets shot in the face. After a long, painful recovery, he testifies before the [[Knapp Commission]], a governmental inquiry into NYPD corruption. - Serpico resigned from the NYPD on June 15, 1972, was awarded the [[New York City Police Department Medal of Honor|NYPD Medal of Honor]] for "conspicuous bravery in action". He further leaves the U.S. and settled in Switzerland.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Al Pacino]] as [[NYPD]] Police Detective [[Frank Serpico]]
* [[John Randolph (actor)|John Randolph]] as NYPD Police Chief Sidney Green
* [[Jack Kehoe]] as Tom Keough
* [[Biff McGuire]] as [[Police captain|Captain]] McClain
* Barbara Eda-Young as Laurie
* [[Cornelia Sharpe]] as Leslie
* [[Tony Roberts (actor)|Tony Roberts]] as Bob Blair
* [[Allan Rich]] as [[District Attorney|D.A.]] Tauber
* Norman Ornellas as Rubello
* [[Edward Grover]] as [[Inspector]] Lombardo
* [[Albert Henderson (actor)|Albert Henderson]] as Peluce
* [[Hank Garrett]] as Malone
* [[Damien Leake]] as Joey
* [[Joseph Bova]] as Potts
* Gene Gross as Captain Tolkin
* [[Woodie King Jr.]] as Larry (as Woodie King)
* [[James Tolkan]] as Steiger (as James Tolkin)
* [[Bernard Barrow]] as Palmer
* [[Nathan George]] as Smith
* [[Alan North]] as Brown
* [[Lewis J. Stadlen]] as Berman
* [[Tracey Walter]] as Street Unrich (uncredited) 
* [[Ted Beniades]] as Sarno
* John Lehne as Gilbert
* [[M. Emmet Walsh]] as [[Chief of police|Chief]] Gallagher
* Charles White as Delaney
}}

In addition, [[F. Murray Abraham]] appears in an uncredited role as the team lead of Serpico's four-man unit, setting up Serpico to be shot in the face at a drug bust. [[Judd Hirsch]] appears as one of the cops in the hospital, also uncredited.

==Background ==
After [[Frank Serpico]] recovered from being shot, he helped [[Peter Maas]] write ''Serpico''.{{sfn|Rayman, Graham|2013|p=206}}{{sfn|Constantine, Peggy|1974|p=6-C}} Detective David Durk, who also appeared in front of the [[Knapp Commission]], planned to sell the rights of their story for a film adaptation. Early negotiations included [[Paul Newman]] in the role of Durk, and [[Robert Redford]] as Serpico.{{sfn|Levy, Shawn|2010|p=450}} Serpico distanced himself from the project, as he felt that he would be merely portrayed as a [[sidekick]].{{sfn|Conlon, Edward|2012|p=252}} Script writer [[John Gregory Dunne]] turned down the project, for he felt that "there was no story". Director [[Sam Peckinpah]], as well as Newman and Redford, left the project.{{sfn|Dunne, John Gregory|2013|p=182}}

After the success of several of his films in the 1960s, and the first years of the 1970s, producer [[Dino De Laurentiis]] decided to move from Italy to the United States. The change in financing laws further regulated the Italian film industry, and the producer settled in New York City. Following their collaboration on ''[[The Valachi Papers (film)|The Valachi Papers]]'', De Laurentiis purchased the rights to Maas's book.{{sfn|Morton, Ray|2005|p=149}} Maas received US$400,000 (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|0.4|1973|r=1}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) and participation in the film, while the rights for his work were secured before the March 1973 publication of the book.{{sfn|AFI Staff|2019}} Initially, De Laurentiis found resistance to the project from [[Paramount Pictures]]. The studio considered that "enough cop movies" had been made.{{sfn|De Laurentiis, Dino|Kezich, Tulio|Levantesi, Alessandra|2004|p=206}} In turn, De Laurentiis was supported by [[Charles Bluhdorn]], president of [[Gulf and Western Industries|Gulf+Western]], who wanted the film to be made.{{sfn|De Laurentiis, Dino|Kezich, Tulio|Levantesi, Alessandra|2004|p=201}} De Laurentiis later declared that "no American producer would have had the courage" to depict police corruption in a motion picture.{{sfn|De Laurentiis, Dino|Kezich, Tulio|Levantesi, Alessandra|2004|p=206}}

Maas's agent [[Sam Cohn]] was approached by agent [[Martin Bregman]]. Bregman expressed his interest to produce the film after reading an article in ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine about the book. Bregman proposed one of his signed actors, [[Al Pacino]], to play the lead.{{sfn|Priggé, Steven|2004|p=119}} [[Waldo Salt]] was chosen to write the screenplay adaptation. The first draft did not impress Maas, De Laurentiis nor Bregman. Bregman felt that the result was "very political", and that the story did not reflect what the producers desired to portray in the film. Bregman and Maas directed Salt to the parts of the book that they envisioned to be reflected on the screenplay. The second draft was considered to be a substantial improvement by the production team.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=77}} Bregman took the [[Film treatment|treatment]] to Pacino, who initially did not find the film interesting. Salt visited Pacino with the re-worked script that convinced him to consider the part.{{sfn|Grobel, Lawrence|2006|p=32}} A meeting with Serpico, Maas and Pacino was arranged for the actor to meet the subject of the film. After meeting him, Pacino was fully convinced to accept the part.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=76}} [[John G. Avildsen]] was chosen to direct the film.{{sfn|Schoell, William|2016|p=7}}

{{quote box|align=right|width=30em|One time we were out at my rented beach house in Montauk. We were sitting there looking at the water. And I thought, Well, I might as well be like everybody else and ask a silly question, which was, "Why, Frank? Why did you do it?" He said, "Well, Al, I don't know. I guess I have to say it would be because...if I didn't, who would I be when I listened to a piece of music?" I mean, what a way of putting it! That's the kind of guy he was. I enjoyed being with him. There was mischief in his eyes.|salign=right|source=— Al Pacino{{sfn|Grobel, Lawrence|1979|p=99}}}}
Salt's work did not satisfy Avildsen, who threatened to leave the project unless he could bring [[Norman Wexler]] to write the screenplay. They had previously worked together in Avildsen's ''[[Joe (1970 film)|Joe]]''. Both traveled to Switzerland to visit Serpico at home and work the details.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=78}} Time to work on the production was constricted due to Pacino's commitment to ''[[The Godfather Part II]]''. Further disagreement arose between Avildsen and Bregman regarding the script and the selection of the filming locations. In response to resistance to his plans, Avildsen threatened Bregman of quitting multiple times. An aggravated Bregman called for a meeting with the production team to cause the director to quit in front of witnesses.

Avildsen had insisted on a meeting with Bregman and De Laurentiis to shoot a scene in the real home of Serpico's parents for authenticity. The producers felt that the structure could not accommodate the production team and equipment efficiently.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=78}} The escalating tension on the meeting resulted in De Laurentiis firing Avildsen, and the director quit in return.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=79}} Avildsen's account for the reason of his dismissal was that he refused to cast Bregman's then-girlfriend (and later wife) Cornelia Sharpe as Leslie. Avildsen would later declare that he should have treated the situation "with more finesse".{{sfn|Powell, Larry|Garrett, Tom|2013|p=53}} [[Sidney Lumet]] was hired to complete the job for his reputation as an effective director under a tight schedule.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=79}}

Pacino was shortly distracted from the project by an offer to play the lead in ''[[Lenny (film)|Lenny]]'', but ultimately he turned it down.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=77}} To prepare for ''Serpico'', he rode with police officers for a night, but he decided that it was not enough. A [[method acting|method actor]], he felt that he needed to spend time with Serpico.{{sfn|Grobel, Lawrence|2006|p=32}} Pacino and Serpico met several times in [[Montauk, New York|Montauk]], New York, where the actor rented a house for the summer. Pacino was moved by Serpico's conviction to reform the NYPD, and became more committed to the project.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=76}} In character, Pacino often walked through areas of the city that were considered dangerous at the time.{{sfn|Scorsese, Martin|2006|p=60}} While waiting in traffic, he attempted to arrest a truck driver, for he was enraged by the exhaust fumes.{{sfn|Grobel, Lawrence|2006|p=39}} He was refused service at a Manhattan restaurant for the appearance that he kept for the film.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=80}}

==Production==
Sidney Lumet organized the 107 speaking parts that took place in 104 different locations.{{sfn|Cunningham, Frank|2014|p=216}} The longest scenes took up two-and-a-half pages of the screenplay, while the average was one page.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=34}}

A budget of $3.3 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|3.3|1973|r=1}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) was assigned.{{sfn|Knoedelseder, William Jr.|1987|p=2 (partIV)}} Two weeks of rehearsals were held. Pacino had learned Salt's screenplay, and he agreed with Lumet that Wexler's revised version improved the structure, but that the dialogue was impoverished.{{sfn|Spiegel, Maura|2019|p=160}} Lumet allowed the actors to improvise certain dialogues, and he also allowed their creative input for the scenes.{{sfn|Cunningham, Frank|2014|p=216}} The cast selected dialogues from both scripts as the filming progressed.{{sfn|Spiegel, Maura|2019|p=160}} Although he already had a good knowledge of New York locations, Lumet considered the work "physically brutal, and emotionally tough".{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=80}}

The [[principal photography]] on ''Serpico'' began in early July 1973. The film was planned to be released before Christmas, with four-and-a-half months for the crew to complete the movie.{{sfn|Nixon, Rob|2020}} Filming took place in July and August.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=33}} The story of the film encompassed 11 years, from 1960 through 1971.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=30}}

[[File:Pacino as Serpico in 1973.jpg|thumb|upright|Pacino as Frank Serpico in a publicity portrait]]
To accommodate the scenes around Pacino's facial hair, the film was shot in reverse. Pacino started with long beard and hair. He was shaved to a mustache, and eventually, his hair was cut and he was clean-shaven for the beginning of the film.{{sfn|Spiegel, Maura|2019|p=160}} Lumet decided each day if Pacino was to be further shaven, and the crew prepared fake beards in case they were required.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=31}} Winter conditions were simulated, as the team had to defoliate trees and cut shrubs.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=31}} Special makeup was used to absorb the sweat, and to keep the actors' skin dry.{{sfn|Associated Press staff|1973|p=7-C}} The cast wore winter coats, and their skin was made to look bluish, while their breath had to be visible.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=31}}

The director followed Serpico's desire for the winter to look "cold and heavy", and the summer "idyllic and hazy".{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=33}} The team had difficulty to find locations suitable for the scenes set in the 1960s, since graffiti did not become common until 1970.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=30}} Lumet shot up to 35 different setups daily.{{sfn|Cunningham, Frank|2014|p=216}} The team had to move three times a day on average. Each location had to be cleared of cars that did not belong to the particular period, and extras could not feature long hair nor non-period wardrobe. Hairdressers were present with the crew.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=31}} Multiple locations in the city including [[Harlem]], the [[South Bronx]], [[Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn|Bedford–Stuyvesant]], [[Downtown Brooklyn|Brooklyn]] and [[Astoria, Queens|Astoria]], Queens, were used.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=80}} [[Lewisohn Stadium]] was featured shortly before its demolition.{{sfn|Harlem World Magazine staff|2019}} The party scene was shot at [[Sidney Kingsley]]'s Fifth Avenue loft.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=90}} The NYPD cooperated with the director and allowed him to film in four active police stations.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=80}}

Serpico's apartment had to be built by the crew. It featured a fixed ceiling and movable walls.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=32}} As with Serpico's original apartment, it was located in [[Greenwich Village]].{{sfn|Schoell, William|1995|p=74}} Through lighting, Lumet and cinematographer [[Arthur Ornitz]] chose to maintain a "warm look" on the location. Different techniques were used to reflect moods, and the changes of the years through which the character went.{{sfn|Sharples, Win Jr.|1974|p=33}}

Lumet focused on portraying Serpico's struggle to balance his work and personal life, and his increased isolation and alienation, as his efforts produced slow results.{{sfn|Cunningham, Frank|2014|p=217}} The director decided to portray him "darker and darker". As the film progressed, the cast costumes became darker in color, until the courtroom scene in which all the actors wore dark tones.{{sfn|Schwartz, David|2005}} Lumet told [[Charles Champlin]], "I was trying to negate color, to make a picture in color that was not colorful." Meanwhile, he wanted Serpico's fellow officers to be "men with charm, who were all the more evil for being human and understandable".{{sfn|Champlin, Charles|1974|p=26}} Lumet finished shooting the film in 51 days, on budget.{{sfn|Yule, Andrew|1992|p=80}}

The film is edited by [[Dede Allen]]. Allen received the scenes from Lumet directly after they were shot. She had a limit of 48 hours to finish her work for its delivery to the sound department.{{sfn|Nixon, Rob|2020}} Lumet did not want to add a [[Film score|score]] to the picture, but he decided that he would do it before De Laurentiis commissioned one. He learned that [[Mikis Theodorakis]] was released from prison in Greece.{{sfn|Schwartz, David|2005}} He was able to locate him in Paris, as the composer quickly left his country of origin. Theodorakis accepted Lumet's offer, and flew to New York City the next day. He met with the director, who played the movie for him the day of his arrival. Theodorakis agreed that it should not have a soundtrack, but he offered a composition of his to add to the film. Theodorakis had arranged a tour of the United States with a Greek orchestra and told Lumet that he could not be present for the [[Spotting (filmmaking)|spotting session]]. Lumet offered the help of [[Bob James (musician)|Bob James]], who would sit with the director for the spotting. To inform of the progress of the sessions and possible changes on the arrangements, James flew to the cities where Theodorakis appeared to work the details.{{sfn|Schwartz, David|2005}}

==Release==
The film was released on December 5, 1973, in New York{{sfn|Kirshner, Jonathan|2012|p=227}} and on December 18 in Los Angeles.{{sfn|AFI Staff|2019}} The opening week in New York garnered $123,000.{{sfn|Variety Staff|1973|p=8}} ''Serpico'' was released nationwide on February 6, 1974.{{sfn|Variety Staff|1974|p=4}} The film was a critical and commercial success.{{sfn|AFI Staff|2019}} It grossed $29.8 million in the United States and Canada, generating $14.6 million in [[theatrical rental]]s.{{sfn|Box Office Mojo staff|2020}} It earned theatrical rentals worldwide of $23.4 million.{{sfn|Knoedelseder, William Jr.|1987|p=2}}

Serpico attended the premiere of the film,{{sfn|Spiegel, Maura|2019|p=160}} but he did not finish watching it.{{sfn|Kilgannon, Corey|2010}} Serpico felt "distant" from the results.{{sfn|Kaufman, Michael|1973|p=58}} In an interview with [[Pauline Kael]] for ''[[The New Yorker]]'', he concluded that it "didn't give a sense of the frustration you feel when you're not able to do anything".{{sfn|Kramer, Carol|1974|p=Weekend 2}}

According to Lumet's account, he met Serpico shortly before the production. The director asked him to stay clear of the set, to not make Pacino "self-conscious" regarding his portrayal.{{sfn|Spiegel, Maura|2019|p=160}} Serpico watched the film in its entirety for the first time in 2010.{{sfn|Kilgannon, Corey|2010}} In a later interview, he declared that Lumet barred him from the set after he interrupted the shooting of a scene that in real life "never happened". Serpico also criticized the dismissal of Avildsen by the production team. Serpico and Avildsen remained friends, and shared a property on [[Long Island]] for three years in the 1980s.{{sfn|D'Ambrosio, Antonino|2017}}

[[New York City Police Commissioner]] [[Michael Codd]] stated that the film "tends to imply that Serpico was the only honest cop in the whole department".{{sfn|Walter, Greg|1974|p=1-I}} Detective Durk was not pleased with ''Serpico''. Durk, who was depicted in the character of Bob Blair, felt that the movie would deter other policemen to denounce corruption. In an interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', he considered the movie to be unfair to honest police officers. Durk stated that the end of the film conveyed that "the cost of honesty is martyrdom", and Serpico's departure for Switzerland showed him "wounded and frustrated".

Meanwhile, [[The Bronx|Bronx]] district attorney [[Burton B. Roberts]] declared that it "bears absolutely no relationship to the truth". Lumet defended his [[artistic license]] on the portrayal of the story, as he felt he desired to make a film that "people believed in".{{sfn|Kaufman, Michael|1973|p=58}} Bregman dismissed the critics, as he felt that the real names were not relevant for viewers in cities outside New York.{{sfn|Kramer, Carol|1974|p=Weekend 2}} Maas dismissed Durk's claims regarding honest policemen and asked, "Where were they?"{{sfn|McCabe, Bruce|1974|p=14}}

==Critical reception==
===Premiere reception===
''[[The New York Times]]'' felt that the film was "galvanizing" for Pacino's performance and the "tremendous intensity" of Lumet's direction. The publication also considered the film "disquieting" for its use of fictional names, as the reviewer felt that it diminished the role of Durk. Meanwhile, it called Theodorakis's soundtrack "redundant and dumb".{{sfn|Canby, Vincent|1973|p=61}}

The ''[[New York Daily News]]'' delivered a favorable review of the film. It rated it four stars out of five, and called it "a triumph of intelligence, compassion and style".{{sfn|Oster, Jerry|1973|p=122}} A follow-up critique by the publication deemed Pacino's acting a "masterful performance", as the reviewer remarked that "he walks like a cop. He talks like a cop. He even seems to think as a cop." The review also praised Lumet and his "talent for achieving social realism".{{sfn|Carroll, Kathleen|1973|p=7}}

''[[The Record (North Jersey)|The Record]]'' considered it "one of the finest films of the year". Although it felt that the portrayal of Serpico was "too righteous and obsessive", the review favored Pacino, but felt that his performance was "sometimes a little too intense". It praised the photography of New York City as authentic, and credited Ornitz and Allen's work for it.{{sfn|Crittenden, John|1973|p=B-1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66009980/ B-20]}}

''[[The Village Voice]]'' wrote a mixed review. It criticized the focus of the film on Serpico, and the minor role that the screenplay writers gave to the character that represented Durk. The reviewer considered that Serpico was "worth seeing" for Pacino's performance.{{sfn|Sarris, Andrew|1973|p=91-92}}

''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' deemed Pacino's acting "outstanding", and Lumet's a combination of "gritty action and thought-provoking comment".{{sfn|Variety staff 2|1973}}

For ''[[Advance Publications|Newhouse News Services]]'', it was an "exciting movie", but the review remarked that it was "weakened" by its focus on Serpico. The news agency attributed the minimization of the other characters to avoid "possible lawsuits".{{sfn|Taylor, Frances|1973|p=T-6}}

The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' acclaimed ''Serpico''. [[Charles Champlin]] called Pacino "one of the handful of genuine star actors in American films". Salt and Wexler's screenplay was hailed as "almost documentary reality",{{sfn|Champlin, Charles|1973|p=C 1}} and its treatment of the main character "a complex and evolving portrait". The reviewer also remarked that the romances and break-ups were presented with "unhackneyed honesty".{{sfn|Champlin, Charles|1973|p=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66332601/ C 48]}} The contributions of the supporting cast were well noted.{{sfn|Champlin, Charles|1973|p=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66332838/ C 49]}} Champlin felt that Allen's work was considered to be "high on the list" for an Academy Award nomination, and deemed Theodorakis's music "effective".{{sfn|Champlin, Charles|1973|p=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66334008/ C 102]}}

===Wide release reception===
[[Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, noting its treatment of corruption as its "principal strength and weakness", and adding that ''Serpico'' "loses the perspective" that "corruption ... begins and ends with individuals making active and passive decisions".{{sfn|Siskel, Gene|1974|p=1 (Section 2)}}

''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' celebrated the film's critique of police corruption, despite its "embellishments and omissions" on the story. Pacino's performance was called "riveting", and the piece praised the "sharply individualized characterizations" by [[Tony Roberts (actor)|Tony Roberts]], [[Jack Kehoe]], [[John Randolph (actor)|John Randolph]], [[Biff McGuire]], Barbara Eda-Young and Cornelia Sharpe.{{sfn|Collins, William B.|1974|p=8A}}

Meanwhile, also for ''Philadelphia Inquirer'', [[Investigative journalism|investigative journalist]] Greg Walter lamented its portrayal of police officers as "snarling, insipid ass(es)". Walter felt that Maas's book was "coldly objective", but that the director's work delivered characters that were "one-dimensional caricatures".{{sfn|Walter, Greg|1974|p=1-I}}

''[[The Boston Globe]]'' welcomed Lumet's "melodramatic efficiency". The publication considered the story "heavily repetitious", but favored its "quick pace". It regarded Ornitz's camerawork as "the right documentary look", while it lamented Theodorakis's score as "disruptive" and "out of character".{{sfn|Kelly, Kevin|1974|p=35}}

''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' further criticized Theodorakis, as the reviewer opined that his "composing voice ought to be silenced". Meanwhile, the piece praised Allen's work.{{sfn|Esquire staff|1974|p=70}}

[[File:Al Pacino in Serpico 1973.jpg|thumb|Pacino sporting a beard and undercover outfit in a scene]]
The ''[[Miami Herald]]'' hailed the use of "street talk" instead of the "language of actors and actresses" by Salt, Wexler and Maas. It praised Lumet and Ornitz's photography that "generate the smells, sounds and styles of the city". It considered Pacino's acting "predictably excellent", and it favored Theodorakis's music.{{sfn|Huddy, John|1974|p=7-D}}

The ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' suggested that ''Serpico'' would be a breakthrough role for Pacino as an actor, and called his work "fascinating". The newspaper defined the film as an "encouraging morality tale".{{sfn|DeVine, Lawrence|1974|p=5-C}}

Meanwhile, ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]'' observed Pacino's acting to be "a brilliant, solidly thought out performance". The publication added that the supporting cast's contributions "never satisfactorily fleshed out". Regarding Lumet, the reviewer felt that he directed the film with "skill and vigor".{{sfn|Eichelbaum, Stanley|1974|p=27}}

''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' attributed the commercial success of the film to Pacino's acting, and to the film's depiction of "hard, cold, grit and grime reality".{{sfn|McElfresh, Tom|1974|p=42}}

For ''[[The Baltimore Sun|The Evening Sun]]'' reviewer, Lou Cedrone expressed his doubts about Durk's "gratis talk of defamation of the police image". Cedrone considered that Durk "comes off very nicely" on the film, and defended Lumet's choice to "emphasize the action rather than the definition". Meanwhile, it viewed the use of "Neapolitan" music as "foolish perhaps, but not touching". It declared Pacino's contribution "a magnificent performance".{{sfn|Cedrone, Lou|1974|p=B6}}

The ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' found ''Serpico'' to be "meticulously crafted, intelligently written, unflinchingly honest". The publication noted the "fidelity" with which the director captured New York, and that the city "becomes more than just a background". It summed Pacino's acting as "naturalistic, flawlessly convincing".{{sfn|Anderson, George|1974|p=8}}

[[The Honolulu Advertiser|''The'' ''Honolulu Advertiser'']] attributed Pacino's "brilliant portrayal" to turn an "ordinary cop movie" into "extraordinary". The review favored Lumet, the writers and the supporting cast.{{sfn|Harada, Wayne|1974|p=E-4}}

The ''[[Austin American-Statesman]]'' highlighted realism in producing a "fascinating film".{{sfn|Bustin, John|1974|p=44}}

The ''[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]'' celebrated Pacino's "towering performance". Roberts's performance was noted as a "standout". Sharpe and Eda Young's appearances as Serpico's love interests were deemed to be "played with restrained excellence". The newspaper opined that the film was "15 minutes too long", but that viewers would not "realize the length until you're outside looking at your watch".{{sfn|Brooks, Elston|1974|p=10-A}}

The ''[[Kansas City Star]]'' detailed the criticism that the film received from police officers, and Serpico's discontent with the production. The piece noted that despite the fictional additions, ''Serpico'' was a "superrealistic dramatization". Meanwhile, Wexler and Salt were praised for the authentic use of profanity in the dialogues.{{sfn|Stack, Dennis|1974|p=1E}}

''[[The Times (Shreveport)|The Times]]'' in [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]], Louisiana, opened its review applauding Serpico's denunciation of police corruption, while it pointed out that the film "exceeds (the) expectations" of the viewers for it to be "powerfully dramatic". Lumet's "accurate eye for surroundings" was remarked, and the reviewer hailed Pacino and the supporting cast.{{sfn|Montgomery, Jim|1974|p=6B}}

===Later reviews===
[[Rotten Tomatoes]] rated it 93% "Fresh", with an average score of 8.1/10, based on reviews from 55 critics. The consensus reads: "An engrossing, immediate depiction of early '70s New York, ''Serpico'' is elevated by Al Pacino's ferocious performance."{{sfn|Rotten Tomatoes staff|2004}} On the [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]], the movie garnered a score of 87 out of 100, based on 7 reviews from mainstream critics. The result indicated "universal acclaim".{{sfn|Metacritic staff|2004}}

[[AllMovie]] gave ''Serpico'' five stars out of five. The review described the situation in the United States following the [[Watergate scandal]], and how the "bureaucratic depravity touched a cultural nerve". It welcomed the film's "documentary-style realism".{{sfn|Bozzola, Lucia|2012}}

''[[The A.V. Club]]'' received it positively; the reviewer felt that ''Serpico'' expressed "artful, character-driven slices of life".{{sfn|Murray, Noel|2013}}

In its later review, ''[[The Village Voice]]'' declared that the "Watergate-era time capsule of hippie fashions" that the film presented "ought to look pretty dated", but that the story "feels depressingly relevant".{{sfn|Strong, Benjamin|2004}}

A 2023 article found that "the movie, like the life of its hero, remains a clear public good". The article commented that a film about a cop facing impossible, potentially fatal, obstacles for simply doing his job on the level "feels impossible in the Hollywood of today".<ref>{{cite news | last=Tobias | first=Scott | title=Serpico at 50: a daring look at police corruption anchored by Al Pacino | newspaper=The Guardian | date=5 December 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/05/police-corruption-docudrama-al-pacino | access-date=5 December 2023 | archive-date=5 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205192404/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/05/police-corruption-docudrama-al-pacino | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Legacy==
On September 21, 1975, ''Serpico'' premiered on television on ''[[The ABC Sunday Night Movie]]''.{{sfn|Tampa Tribune-Times staff|1975|p=41}}

It was released on [[VHS]] in 1991,{{sfn|Weiner, David|1992|p=DL}} and on [[DVD]] in 2002.{{sfn|Hodgkins, John|2013|p=157}} The film was made available on [[Blu-ray]] in 2013.{{sfn|Paramount Pictures staff|2013}} [[Masters of Cinema]] released ''Serpico'' in the United Kingdom on Blu-ray in 2014. It contains three video documentaries about the film, a photo gallery with an audio commentary by Lumet, and a forty-four page booklet.{{sfn|Masters of Cinema staff|2014}}

A [[Serpico (TV series)|television series]] based on Maas's book and the motion picture was broadcast on [[NBC]] between September 1976 and January 1977, with [[David Birney]] as Serpico.{{sfn|Hischak, Thomas|2014|p=212}} Fourteen episodes were broadcast, but the fifteenth was not aired. The series was preceded by the pilot film ''Serpico: The Deadly Game'', which was broadcast in April 1976.{{sfn|Martindale, David|1991|p=439}}

The main character in the 1976 Italian film ''[[The Cop in Blue Jeans]]'' was inspired by ''Serpico''.{{sfn|Curti, Roberto|2013|p=168}} In the 1977 film ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'', a poster of ''Serpico'' is featured in the room of its main character, Tony Manero.{{sfn|Wlodarz, Joe|2010|p=61}} The film is referenced in 1994's ''[[Natural Born Killers]]'' by the character Dwight McClusky.{{sfn|Tarantino, Quentin|2000|p=10}} The poster of the film is featured in the room of the main character of 1997's ''[[Boogie Nights]]''.{{sfn|Paasonen, Susanna|Nikunen, Kaarina|Saarenmaa, Laura|2007|p=27}} Serpico was mentioned in the 1995 film ''[[Get Shorty (film)|Get Shorty]]''.{{sfn|Frank, Scott|Leonard, Elmore|1996|p=4}}

In a 2004 ''[[Corner Gas]]'' episode "The Taxman", local cops Davis and Karen talk about the film, and Karen tries to rent it at the video store.{{sfn|Video Service Corp staff|2008}} In the 2007 episode of ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' "Bums: Making a Mess All Over the City", Charlie imitates Pacino's performance after the gang buys an out-of-commission police car. The film is referenced in a 2016 episode of ''[[El ministerio del tiempo]]'' as the reason for the nickname of one of its main characters, "Pacino".{{sfn|Quirós, Paloma|2016}} Among other police films, ''Serpico'' influenced the [[Hong Kong action cinema]].{{sfn|Yau, Esther|2017|p=110}}

==Accolades==
The film received [[46th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]] nominations for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Al Pacino) and [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]]. The script won the [[Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Award]] for [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]].{{sfn|Videohound Editors|1996|p=358}} Theodorakis was nominated for both the [[Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media]] and the [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Music]].{{sfn|Grammy staff|2020}}{{sfn|Zervanos, Lydía|2015|p=285}} Sidney Lumet was nominated for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction]] and the [[Directors Guild of America Award]].{{sfn|Hischak, Thomas|2015|p=667}}{{sfn|Videohound Editors|1996|p=358}} The film was nominated for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama]]. Pacino won his first Golden Globe award for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor]] in 1974. For his performance, he also received a BAFTA nomination for [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]].{{sfn|Videohound Editors|1996|p=358}}

Pacino's role as Frank Serpico ranks at number forty on the [[American Film Institute]]'s ''[[AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains]]''.{{sfn|AFI Staff|2003}} Meanwhile, ''Serpico'' also ranks at number eighty-four on AFI's ''[[AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers]]'', a list of America's most inspiring films.{{sfn|AFI staff|2006}}

{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Award 
! scope="col" | Category 
! scope="col" | Nominee 
! scope="col" | Result 
! scope="col" | Ref.
|-
|  ! rowspan="2"| [[46th Academy Awards]] || [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] ||  [[Al Pacino]] || {{nominated}} ||  ! rowspan="2"|{{sfn|Oscars staff|2020}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] || [[Waldo Salt]] and [[Norman Wexler]] || {{nominated}}
|-
|  ! rowspan="3"|[[28th British Academy Film Awards]] || [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] || [[Sidney Lumet]] || {{nominated}}||  ! rowspan="3"|{{sfn|BAFTA staff|2020}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]] || Al Pacino || {{nominated}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Original Music|Best Original Music]] || [[Mikis Theodorakis]] || {{nominated}}
|-
|  ! rowspan="2"| [[31st Golden Globe Awards]] || [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Best Motion Picture – Drama]] || ''Serpico'' || {{nominated}} || ! rowspan="2"|{{sfn|Golden Globes staff|2020}}
|-
|  [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] || Al Pacino || {{won}}
|-
| [[26th Directors Guild of America Awards]] || [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film|Outstanding Directing – Feature Film]] || Sidney Lumet || {{nominated}} || {{sfn|DGA staff|2020}}
|-
| [[26th Writers Guild of America Awards]] || [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]] || Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler || {{won}} || {{sfn|WGA staff|2020}}
|-
| [[17th Annual Grammy Awards]] || [[Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media|Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media]] || Mikis Theodorakis || {{nominated}} || {{sfn|Grammy staff|2020}}
|}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist|20em}}

=== Sources ===
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* {{cite web|author=AFI staff|year=2006|url=https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-cheers/|publisher=[[American Film Institute]]|title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-date=March 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313150511/https://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/cheers100.pdf|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|author=AFI Staff|year=2019|title=Serpico (1973)|work=AFI Catalog|publisher=[[American Film Institute]]|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/54807|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128212316/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/54807|url-status=live}}
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*{{cite news|author=Associated Press staff|date=December 21, 1973|title=Pacino seeks role with character|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[Messenger-Inquirer]]|volume=99|number=356|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66010112/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120222905/https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer/66010112/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
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*{{cite web|author=BAFTA staff|year=2020|title=BAFTA Awards Search (Serpico)|url=http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=Serpico|work=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]]|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125191407/http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=Serpico|url-status=live}}
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*{{cite news|author=Brooks, Elston|date=February 7, 1974|title=Pacino Brilliant in 'Serpico'|work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]|volume=94|number=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66259048/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223034/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram/66259048/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Bustin, John|date=February 8, 1974|title=Show World|work=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|volume=60|number=31|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66419300/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120222908/https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman/66419300/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Canby, Vincent|date=December 6, 1973|title=The Screen: 'Serpico-,' Disquieting Drama of Police Corruption|volume=123|number=42,320|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/06/archives/the-screen-serpico-disquieting-drama-of-police-corruption-the-cast.html|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128212631/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/06/archives/the-screen-serpico-disquieting-drama-of-police-corruption-the-cast.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news|author=Carroll, Kathleen|date=December 16, 1973|title=Who Can Trust A Cop Who Takes No Money?|work=[[New York Daily News]]|number=160|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66007531/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120222913/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/66007531/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Cedrone, Lou|date=February 7, 1974|title='Serpico' Irritates Cops; John Wayne Gets Off Horse|work=[[The Baltimore Sun|Evening Sun]]|publisher=Baltimore Sun|volume=128|number=95|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66259740/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120222909/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/66259740/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Champlin, Charles|date=December 16, 1973|title='Serpico': Chronicle of a Cop Off the Take|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|volume=93|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66331775/the-los-angeles-times/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128212720/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66331775/the-los-angeles-times/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Champlin, Charles|date=January 27, 1974|title=Film-Making is the Payoff for 'Serpico's' Lumet|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|volume=93|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66329780/the-los-angeles-times/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128212731/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66329780/the-los-angeles-times/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Collins, William B.|date=February 7, 1974|title='Serpico' A Chilling Tale About a Honest Cop|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|volume=290|number=38|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66259761/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120222910/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/66259761/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
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*{{cite book|author=Cunningham, Frank|year=2014|title=Sidney Lumet: Film and Literary Vision|publisher=[[University Press of Kentucky]]|isbn=978-0-813-15826-6}}
*{{cite book|author=Curti, Roberto|year=2013|title=Italian Crime Filmography, 1968-1980|publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]]|isbn=978-0-786-46976-5}}
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*{{cite book|author1=De Laurentiis, Dino |author2=Kezich, Tulio |author3=Levantesi, Alessandra|year=2004|title=Dino: The Life and the Films of Dino De Laurentiis|publisher=[[Miramax Books]]|isbn=978-0-786-86902-2}}
*{{cite news|author=DeVine, Lawrence|date=February 6, 1974|title=Al Pacino Clinches Super-Stardom As 'Serpico', an Honest-to-Gosh Honest Cop|work=[[Detroit Free Press]]|volume=143|number=278|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66259184/|access-date=January 2, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223529/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/66259184/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite web|author=DGA staff|year=2020|title=26th Annual DGA Awards|work=[[Directors Guild of America]]|url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1970s/1973.aspx?value=1973|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122100618/http://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1970s/1973.aspx?value=1973|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Dunne, John Gregory|year=2013|title=Quintana & Friends|publisher=[[Zola Books]]|isbn=978-1-939-12619-1}}
*{{cite news|author=Eichelbaum, Stanley|date=February 6, 1974|title=An exceptional and relevant police film|work=[[San Francisco Examiner]]|volume=109|number=206|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66398592/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223415/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner/66398592/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Esquire staff|year=1974|title=Movie Review: Serpico|work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|volume=81|number=2}}
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*{{cite web|author=Grammy staff|year=2020|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/mikis-theodorakis/6711|title=Mikis Theodorakis – Artist|work=Grammy.com|publisher=Recording Academy|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128212917/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/mikis-theodorakis/6711|url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine|author=Grobel, Lawrence|date=December 1979|title=Playboy Interview: Al Pacino|magazine=[[Playboy]]|volume=26|number=12}}
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*{{cite news|author=Harada, Wayne|date=February 20, 1974|title='Serpico' Made Extraordinary by Pacino|work=[[The Honolulu Advertiser]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66259707/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223538/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser/66259707/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Harlem World Magazine staff|url=https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/lewisohn-stadium-harlem-new-york-1915-video/|date=February 10, 2019|title=Lewisohn Stadium, Harlem, New York, 1915 (video)|publisher=Harlem World Magazine|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115171543/https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/lewisohn-stadium-harlem-new-york-1915-video/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Hischak, Thomas|year=2014|title=American Literature on Stage and Screen: 525 Works and Their Adaptations|publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]]|isbn=978-0-786-49279-4}}
*{{cite book|author=Hischak, Thomas|year=2015|title=The Encyclopedia of Film Composers|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|isbn=978-1-442-24550-1}}
*{{cite book|author=Hodgkins, John|year=2013|title=The Drift: Affect, Adaptation, and New Perspectives on Fidelity|publisher=Bloomsbury|isbn=978-1-623-56264-9}}
*{{cite news|author=Huddy, John|date=February 13, 1974|title='Serpico': A Gripping Story of Corruption|work=Miami Herald|volume=64|number=75|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66258943/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223442/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald/66258943/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Kaufman, Michael|date=December 19, 1973|title='Serpico' Film Draws Fire From 'Cast'|work=[[The New York Times]]|volume=123|number=42,333|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/19/archives/-serpicofilm-dra-s-fire-from-cast-cooling-of-friendship-central.html|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128213020/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/12/19/archives/-serpicofilm-dra-s-fire-from-cast-cooling-of-friendship-central.html|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news|author=Kelly, Kevin|date=February 7, 1974|title=Al Pacino transcends run-of-the-mill Serpico|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|volume=205|number=38|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66345871/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223441/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/66345871/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Kilgannon, Corey|date=January 22, 2010|title=Serpico on Serpico|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/nyregion/24serpico.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209153157/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/nyregion/24serpico.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Kirshner, Jonathan|year=2012|title=Hollywood's Last Golden Age: Politics, Society, and the Seventies Film in America|publisher=[[Cornell University Press]]|isbn=978-0-801-46540-6}}
*{{cite news|author=Knoedelseder, William Jr.|date=August 30, 1987|title=De Laurentiis: Producer's picture Darkens|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65886479/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 23, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223417/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/65886479/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Kramer, Carol|date=February 8, 1974|title=New York Policemen Speak Up About 'Serpico'|work=Chicago Tribune|volume=127|number=29|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66258510/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223531/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/66258510/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Levy, Shawn|year=2010|title=Paul Newman: A Life|publisher=Aurum Press|isbn=978-1-845-13654-3}}
*{{cite book|author=Martindale, David|year=1991|title=Television Detective Shows of the 1970s: Credits, Storylines, and Episode Guides for 109 Series|publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]]|isbn=978-0-899-50557-2}}
*{{cite AV media|author=Masters of Cinema staff|year=2014|title=Serpico|type=Blu-Ray|number=79|publisher=Eureka}}
*{{cite web|author=Metacritic staff|year=2004|title=Serpico (re-release)|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/serpico|work=Metacritic|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621172950/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/serpico|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news|author=McCabe, Bruce|date=February 6, 1974|title=Frank Serpico: A Mr. Clean in Exile|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|volume=205|number=37|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66258651/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223446/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/66258651/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=McElfresh, Tom|date=February 7, 1974|title=Quality Will Sell – Serpico Proves It|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|volume=133|number=300|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66419188/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120224035/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/66419188/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Montgomery, Jim|date=February 11, 1974|title='Serpico' is Tough Film of True Story|work=[[The Times (Shreveport)|The Times]]|location=Shreveport, Louisiana|volume=136|number=103|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66259307/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120225502/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/66259307/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite book|author=Morton, Ray|year=2005|title=King Kong: The History of a Movie Icon from Fay Wray to Peter Jackson|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|isbn=978-1-557-83669-4}}
*{{cite news|author=Murray, Noel|date=February 19, 2013|title=Al Pacino's integrity costs him in the undercover-cop classic Serpico|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|url=https://www.avclub.com/al-pacino-s-integrity-costs-him-in-the-undercover-cop-c-1798236408|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128213243/https://film.avclub.com/al-pacino-s-integrity-costs-him-in-the-undercover-cop-c-1798236408|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|author=Nixon, Rob|year=2020|title=Behind the Camera – Serpico|url=https://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/293709|work=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|publisher=Turner Media|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=May 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516154416/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/293709%7C0/Behind-the-Camera-Serpico.html|url-status=live}} 
*{{cite web|author=Oscars staff|year=2020|title=The 46TH Academy Awards 1974|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1974|work=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002003312/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1974|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news|author=Oster, Jerry|date=December 6, 1973|title=Pacino's Serpico Vivid Portrayal|work=[[New York Daily News]]|number=156|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66008841/daily-news/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128213337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66008841/daily-news/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite AV media|author=Paramount Pictures staff|year=2013|title=Serpico|work=[[Paramount Pictures]]|type=Blu-Ray|id=BRP411295}}
*{{cite book|author1=Paasonen, Susanna |author2=Nikunen, Kaarina |author3=Saarenmaa, Laura|year=2007|title=Pornification: Sex and Sexuality in Media Culture|publisher=[[Berg Publishers]]|isbn=978-1-845-20703-8}}
*{{cite book|author1=Powell, Larry |author2=Garrett, Tom|year=2013|title=The Films of John G. Avildsen: Rocky, The Karate Kid and Other Underdogs|publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]]|isbn=978-0-786-46692-4}}
*{{cite book|author=Priggé, Steven|year=2004|title=Movie Moguls Speak: Interviews with Top Film Producers|publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]]|isbn=978-0-786-41929-6}}
*{{cite news|author=Quirós, Paloma|date=February 22, 2016|title=¿Se parece Pacino a Al Pacino? ¿Ves a Hugo Silva como Serpico?|trans-title=Does Pacino look like Al Pacino? Do You See Hugo Silva as Serpico?|url=https://www.rtve.es/television/20160222/pacino-hugo-silva-serpico-parecido/1303788.shtml|work=[[RTVE|Radio y Televisión Española]]|language=es|access-date=January 1, 2021|archive-date=August 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816203531/https://www.rtve.es/television/20160222/pacino-hugo-silva-serpico-parecido/1303788.shtml|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Rayman, Graham|year=2013|title=The NYPD Tapes: A Shocking Story of Cops, Cover-ups, and Courage|publisher=[[Bedford/St. Martin's|St. Martin's Publishing Group]]|isbn=978-1-137-38127-9}}
*{{cite web|author=Rotten Tomatoes staff|year=2004|title=Serpico (1973)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=Fandango|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/serpico|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526145454/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/serpico|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news|author=Sarris, Andrew|date=December 13, 1973|title=Straight-arming crooked cops|work=[[The Village Voice]]|volume=18|number=49|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9OJLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6291%2C5782802|via=Google News|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-date=July 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718152532/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9OJLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6291,5782802|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Siskel, Gene|date=February 8, 1974|title=Corruption: Persons Making Choices...|volume=127|number=39|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66258471/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120225503/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/66258471/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite book|author=Schoell, William|year=1995|title=The Films of Al Pacino|publisher=Carol Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-806-51596-0}}
*{{cite book|author=Schoell, William|year=2016|title=Al Pacino: In Films and on Stage|edition=2|publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]]|isbn=978-0-786-47196-6}}
*{{cite interview|author=Schwartz, David|date=October 5, 2005|subject-link=Sidney Lumet|title=A Pinewood Dialogue with Sidney Lumet|publisher=[[Museum of the Moving Image]]|url=http://www.movingimagesource.us/files/dialogues/2/46278_programs_transcript_html_263.htm|access-date=December 24, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128213413/http://www.movingimagesource.us/files/dialogues/2/46278_programs_transcript_html_263.htm|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Scorsese, Martin|year=2006|title=Scenes from the City: Filmmaking in New York, 1966–2006|publisher=[[Random House]]|isbn=978-0-847-82890-6}}
*{{cite journal|author=Sharples, Win Jr.|date=February 1974|title=The Filming of Serpico|journal=Filmmakers Newsletter|volume=7|number=4|url=https://cinephiliabeyond.org/sidney-lumets-serpico-one-honest-mans-struggle-system/|access-date=December 24, 2020|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224135500/https://cinephiliabeyond.org/sidney-lumets-serpico-one-honest-mans-struggle-system/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Spiegel, Maura|year=2019|title=Sidney Lumet: A Life|publisher=[[Bedford/St. Martin's|St. Martin's Publishing Group]]|isbn=978-1-250-03014-6}}
*{{cite news|author=Stack, Dennis|date=February 10, 1974|title=The Case of the Squealing Pigs - 'Serpico' On Screen|work=[[The Kansas City Star]]|volume=94|number=146|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66259013/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 30, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120225623/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/66259013/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Strong, Benjamin|date=July 27, 2004|title=Film|work=[[The Village Voice]]|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2004/07/27/film-163/|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128213500/https://www.villagevoice.com/2004/07/27/film-163/|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news|author=Tampa Tribune-Times staff|date=September 21, 1975|title=Serpico's Honesty Didn't Pay|work=[[The Tampa Tribune|Tampa Tribune-Times]]|volume=9|number=38|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66612276/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 29, 2021|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120225626/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/66612276/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite book|author=Tarantino, Quentin|year=2000|title=Natural Born Killers|publisher=[[Grove Press]]|isbn=978-0-802-13448-6}}
*{{cite news|author=Taylor, Frances|date=December 15, 1973|title='Serpico' and 'Executive Action'|agency=[[Advance Publications|Newshouse News Service]]|publisher=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|The Atlanta Constitution]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66009944/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120225503/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution/66009944/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite news|author=Variety Staff|date=December 12, 1973|title='Serpico', In 2, Giant $123,000|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}
*{{cite news|author=Variety staff 2|date=December 31, 1973|title=Serpico|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/1972/film/reviews/serpico-1200422969/|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128213524/https://variety.com/1972/film/reviews/serpico-1200422969/amp/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite news|author=Variety Staff|date=January 2, 1974|title='Serpico' Domestic Potential Gambled on Mid-Dec. Dates|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}
*{{cite AV media|author=Video Service Corp staff|year=2008|title=Corner Gas: Season 1|publisher=Video Service Corp|medium=DVD (disc 1)|work=CTV}}
*{{cite book |ref={{harvid|Videohound Editors|1996}} |year=1996|title=1997 Videohound's Guide to Three and Four-Star Movies|publisher=[[Broadway Books]]|isbn=978-0-553-06715-6}}
*{{cite news|author=Walter, Greg|date=February 10, 1974|title=Police Corruption: 'Serpico' Has Some Holes in It|volume=290|number=41|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66258587/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 29, 2020|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120225626/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/66258587/|url-status=live}} {{open access}}
*{{cite book|author=Weiner, David|year=1992|title=Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever, 1992|publisher=[[Gale (publisher)|Thomson Gale]]|isbn=978-0-810-39404-9}}
*{{cite web|author=WGA staff|year=2020|title=Writers Guild Awards Winners: 1995-1949|work=[[Writers Guild of America West]]|url=https://awards.wga.org/awards/nominees-winners/1995-1949|access-date=January 25, 2021|archive-date=February 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152338/https://awards.wga.org/awards/nominees-winners/1995-1949|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|author=Wlodarz, Joe|year=2010|title=Hollywood Reborn: Movie Stars of the 1970s|publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]]|isbn=978-0-813-54952-1}}
*{{cite book|author=Yau, Esther|year=2017|title=Hong Kong Neo-Noir|publisher=[[Edinburgh University Press]]|isbn=978-1-474-41268-1}}
*{{cite book|author=Yule, Andrew|year=1992|title=Al Pacino: A Life on the Wire|publisher=[[SP Books]]|isbn=978-1-561-71161-1}}
*{{cite book|author=Zervanos, Lydía|year=2015|title=Singing in Greek: A Guide to Greek Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire|publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]]|isbn=978-1-442-22978-5}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* {{wikiquote-inline}}
* {{IMDb title}}

{{Sidney Lumet}}

[[Category:1973 films]]
[[Category:1973 crime drama films]]
[[Category:1970s biographical drama films]]
[[Category:1970s English-language films]]
[[Category:1970s police films]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
[[Category:American crime drama films]]
[[Category:American police detective films]]
[[Category:Crime drama films based on actual events]]
[[Category:English-language crime drama films]]
[[Category:Films about the New York City Police Department]]
[[Category:Films about police corruption]]
[[Category:Films about police misconduct]]
[[Category:Films about whistleblowing]]
[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Films based on biographies]]
[[Category:Films directed by Sidney Lumet]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Drama Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Films produced by Martin Bregman]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mikis Theodorakis]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1960s]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Waldo Salt]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Norman Wexler]]
[[Category:New York City Police Department corruption and misconduct]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures films]]
[[Category:1970s American films]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in the United States]]
[[Category:English-language biographical drama films]]